Economy News in English
Latest economy headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
ABN AMRO employees to also walk off the job on Tuesday
About 150 ABN AMRO staff members are planning a one-day strike on Tuesday to protest proposed government cuts to social benefits like unemployment and disability insurance. The union-led action highli...
Younger generations generally wealthier than predecessors despite difficult housing market
Recent data from Statistics Netherlands indicates that younger generations generally enjoy higher purchasing power and wealth than their predecessors, despite difficulties in the housing market. Altho...
Government wastes large amounts of money on gas storage filling targets
The Dutch government is subsidizing the filling of gas storage facilities to prevent winter shortages, with costs expected to be passed on to consumers. Experts caution that these state-led interventi...
Snapchat sued in the Netherlands: platform accused of being addictive and unsafe for children
Stichting Massaschade & Consument has filed a class-action lawsuit against Snapchat in the Netherlands, alleging the platform's features are designed to be addictive for minors. The foundation is seek...
Caravan and camper buyers have one non-negotiable demand: a roof air conditioner
Following a series of intense heatwaves across Europe, roof-mounted air conditioning units have become an essential requirement for caravan and camper buyers. Attendees at Europe's largest camping tra...
Carmen (59) must find a new job but is afraid to: 'Otherwise we will miss out on thousands of euros'
Carmen, a 59-year-old facing redundancy after her team was declared redundant, fears seeking a new job due to potential losses in her pension. Career coach Anne-Marije Buckens addresses this concern, ...
Student debt grows due to high cost of living and may limit future mortgage options
The cost of living for students in the Netherlands has risen significantly, resulting in higher debt levels as students struggle to cover daily expenses. This accumulated student debt is now posing a ...
Great deal! 3 surprisingly large homes in Amsterdam for 400,000 euros or less
Three spacious apartments have been identified in Amsterdam priced at 400,000 euros or less, located in the Zuidoost, Noord, and Nieuw-West areas. These properties offer significant square footage and...
The greenhouse | Farewell 1.5 degree goal, it is disheartening
A new UN report confirms that the 1.5-degree Celsius climate goal is no longer reachable, with global warming projected to hit at least 1.8 degrees. While this news fosters disillusionment regarding i...
We are building new houses for yesterday's climate
New housing in the Netherlands is frequently built using outdated climate data, causing homes to become dangerously hot during increasingly common heatwaves. Experts warn that current construction reg...
More illegal IPTV services shut down, but it remains an uphill battle
Stichting BREIN has shut down over 100 illegal IPTV services this year, yet the proliferation of such platforms remains a persistent challenge linked to organized crime. Experts warn that consumers fa...
Supermarkets expect fewer queues at deposit machines from 2028 but fear messiness
Dutch supermarkets anticipate less congestion at deposit machines by 2028 as more retailers will be required to accept packaging. However, they are expressing concerns regarding hygiene issues related...
Nearly ten times as many reports of phishing emails involving booking sites
Reports of phishing scams involving booking platforms have increased nearly tenfold in the first half of 2026 compared to last year. Experts attribute this rise to recent data breaches that provided c...
Headache over high gas prices, Nuria pays 194 euros for a full tank: ‘It’s getting too expensive’
Rising gasoline prices in the Netherlands are causing significant concern for motorists, with costs for a full tank reaching nearly 200 euros. Many drivers are now considering alternative transportati...
Unrest in the Middle East pushes recommended petrol price to 2.71 euros per litre
Geopolitical unrest in the Middle East has pushed the recommended price of Euro95 petrol in the Netherlands to a record 2.712 euros per litre. Energy experts caution that prices at motorway service st...
Polarsteps banned from Ministry of Defence phones due to security tracking risks
The Dutch Ministry of Defence has prohibited the use of the travel app Polarsteps on official devices after a security flaw allowed military personnel to be tracked. While the app company claims the i...
Expensive gas and looming power shortages: should coal plants stay open after all?
The Netherlands is debating whether to keep coal-fired power plants open past 2030 due to rising gas costs and potential future electricity shortages. Experts are divided on the necessity of these pla...
Screen Time | A robot that runs faster than Usain Bolt: so what?
Recent demonstrations at the World Humanoid Robot Games featured robots performing athletic feats like running faster than world-record holder Usain Bolt. Experts argue that while these developments s...
People struggling with taxes and benefits can call new number
A new toll-free phone number, 0800-8115, has been launched to help Dutch citizens navigate complex issues regarding taxes and benefits. Operated by the support platform Geldfit, the service provides a...
Fewer ships in Panama Canal due to El Niño drought
The Panama Canal is reducing daily ship transits from 36 to 32 starting in mid-September due to a severe drought linked to El Niño. The ongoing climate event, which has also triggered emergencies in ...
Fertilizer company ICL wants to reopen factory in Westpoort in September
Fertilizer company ICL is scheduled to reopen its Westpoort factory on September 14 after a closure intended to address long-standing odor and emission concerns. Simultaneously, provincial authorities...
Dutch Polarsteps became a global hit, but now the travel app is under fire
The Dutch travel application Polarsteps, based in Amsterdam, is facing criticism for failing to adequately protect the private data of its 23 million users. Reports indicate that sensitive information...
Cabinet wants many more return points and deposits on all beverage bottles
The Dutch government plans to require deposits on all plastic juice and dairy bottles while mandating that most retailers serve as collection points for empty containers by 2028. This measure aims to ...
European defense sector fears consequences of reduced reliance on US tech
European defense officials are warning that efforts to reduce reliance on American technology for sensitive applications could backfire due to a significant gap in regional technical capability. While...
France allocates over 1 billion euros for farmers after extreme weather
The French government has announced a 1 billion euro aid package to assist 30,000 to 35,000 farms impacted by severe weather conditions. This support follows significant harvest losses across Europe, ...
Cabinet promises: no cuts to livestock if nitrogen targets are not met
Agriculture Minister Jaimi van Essen has ruled out forced livestock reductions as a means to meet national nitrogen targets. The government plans to achieve environmental goals through alternative str...
Haarlem slaughterhouse files for bankruptcy, municipality loses hundreds of thousands in rent
The Muziekfabriek Slachthuis in Haarlem has declared bankruptcy after accumulating significant debt and failing to secure additional municipal subsidies. While the concert venue and bar will cease ope...
Volkswagen to cut another 50,000 jobs, future of four plants uncertain
Volkswagen is set to reduce its global workforce by an additional 50,000 employees due to rising operational costs and market pressures. The company also plans to halve its vehicle model offerings by ...
Port workers strike over government plans, longer wait times expected
Hundreds of harbor workers are participating in a strike in Rotterdam to protest government policies, leading to anticipated delays for both road and water transport. The action is part of a wider wav...
Gerard Reve's Frisian house is for sale: 'Not a move-in ready home'
The former Friesland home of Dutch author Gerard Reve, Huize het Gras, is currently listed for sale for 185,000 euros. The property requires significant restoration but has retained much of its origin...